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0 pointsalistairSH1y ago0 comments

Take that thought further.

Say we put a tariff on socks. And Hanes opens a sock factory in the US. Is a few hundred sock jobs going to help the millions who aren’t making socks? Does working in the sock factory pay enough to buy computers and cars and other higher margin goods?

Generally speaking, for broad tariffs, the answer is “No”.

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2OEH8eoCRo01y ago

Tariffs could mean a few hundred sock jobs but also cotton jobs, nylon jobs, rubber jobs, dye jobs, etc.

All more expensive than importing but supports local economies. Again, I'm not an economist, and tariffs are not a panacea, but they are also not useless.

alistairSHOP1y ago

They’re useless when used as blunt instruments as we’re seeing today. Broad tariffs on raw materials and goods - the cost hurts the general public more than any benefit to the few.

There’s a place for tariffs. Protecting against countries that undercut us by skirting international labor or environmental laws is a decent example. Protecting a specific, narrow industry that has national defense implications could be another.

But against Canada and Mexico? GTFO. That’s nonsense that’s going to hurt the average consumer.

2OEH8eoCRo01y ago

I agree with everything that you've said. I think you're attacking args I haven't made- im against almost all of the current admin's policies including the tariffs. I'm pretty much only pro tariffs on China

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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2OEH8eoCRo01y ago

Tariffs could mean a few hundred sock jobs but also cotton jobs, nylon jobs, rubber jobs, dye jobs, etc.

All more expensive than importing but supports local economies. Again, I'm not an economist, and tariffs are not a panacea, but they are also not useless.

alistairSHOP1y ago

They’re useless when used as blunt instruments as we’re seeing today. Broad tariffs on raw materials and goods - the cost hurts the general public more than any benefit to the few.

But against Canada and Mexico? GTFO. That’s nonsense that’s going to hurt the average consumer.

2OEH8eoCRo01y ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse